Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa Nairobi, Kenya Please submit all media inquiries to cero@crisisgroup.org and media@crisisgroup.org or call +32 (0) 2 536 00 71 Crisis Group Role Comfort Ero has been Crisis Group’s Nairobi-based Africa Program Director since January 2011. She previously worked with Crisis Group as West Africa Project Director. As Program Director, Comfort oversees projects covering South, West, Central and the Horn of Africa. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London. Comfort also sits on the editorial board of various journals, including International Peacekeeping. Areas of Expertise Conflict prevention, management and resolution Mediation Peacekeeping Transitional justice Politics and international relations of Africa Professional Background Deputy Africa Program Director for the International Centre for Transitional Justice (2008-2010) Political Affairs Officer and Policy Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Mission in Liberia (2004-2007) Project Director, West Africa Office, International Crisis Group (2001-2004) Research Fellow, Conflict, Security & Development Group, Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, London (1999-2001) Research Associate, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London (1998-1999) PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London Languages English (native) French (conversant) In The News 8 Jan 2020 Burkina is a gateway to coastal West Africa and there is a real concern that jihadist groups may see it as a launching pad to gain other footholds in the coastal region. Financial Times Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa 31 May 2018 The AU is a bureaucratic body that has no immediate answers for the widespread support for third-termism by African leaders today. The body is missing in action in the matters of its member countries (and should) champion the aspirations of ordinary Africans. Lasentinel Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa 15 Feb 2017 Despite the rise of new security structures in [Africa] the last few years, [they] haven't done much to change the [political] dynamic on the ground. All Africa Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa 13 Oct 2016 We have to think very carefully about the use of violence [against Boko Haram], sometimes it is necessary, but it mustn’t aggravate the situation, rather it must help to reduce or resolve the conflict. Force should be used cautiously. Leadership Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa Latest Updates Open Letter / Africa 9 December 2019 Open Letter to the Friends of Sudan While Sudan has embarked on a path toward democratic and accountable government, economic fragility threatens to derail its transition. The Friends of Sudan should bolster the civilian-led administration with urgently-needed financial support and call for an African Union envoy to help keep the transition on track. Commentary / Africa 1 August 2017 Crisis Group On the Long Road to Kenya's August Elections For the past twelve months, Crisis Group has closely monitored and assessed developments in the run-up to Kenya's 8 August 2017 election. In this letter to our readers, Africa Program Director Comfort Ero highlights Crisis Group's flagship Kenya publications that have helped inform stakeholders of looming threats and ongoing electoral issues. Commentary / Africa 26 July 2017 A Changing Environment Brings Opportunities and Threats for the African Union Traditional stakeholders Europe and the U.S. are reassessing their commitments in Africa, generating new geopolitical realities for the African Union. Africa Program Director Comfort Ero argues that the AU’s future relevance and credibility will depend on its ability to generate more unity and leadership. Op-Ed / Africa 22 January 2017 Tripartite Changing of the Guard With leadership transitions at the United Nations, African Union and in the United States creating uncertainty, Crisis Group's Africa Program Director Comfort Ero and African Union Relations Adviser Elissa Jobson spotlight the three main challenges to Africa's peace and security in the coming months. Originally published in The Africa Report Op-Ed / Africa 22 September 2016 Tough but Essential: Germany’s Political Engagement with Crisis Prevention in Africa In recent years, Germany has stepped up its engagement in Africa, notably in Mali. But there is room for improvement: In concert with the EU, UN and regional partners, Germany should lead the way to a more strategic political engagement with crisis prevention on the continent. Originally published in PeaceLab 2016 Load more